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Mental and Emotional Health Issues

Mental and emotional health issues present for many different reasons. Poor gut health and nutritional deficiencies are at the top of the list. These are known to lead to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. Mental and emotional health issues are a topic too deep and wide to be fully addressed on this page. However, if you want to have a more in-depth discussion, message me and we can schedule a time to meet online or in person.

Gut health is top priority because the gut is the body's second brain. 90% of the body's "feel good" hormone, a neurotransmitter called serotonin, is produced in the gut. GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter that is also secreted by the gut. It is responsible for regulating sleep, mood, stress, and anxiety by slowing down overactive neural signals. Dopamine, another neurotransmitter that is linked to pleasure and reward, is secreted by the gut.

An unhealthy gut full of toxins, bad bacteria, and backed-up poop not only hinders the production and secretion of serotonin, GABA, and dopamine, but it also hinders the absorption of nutrients from food. The gut has tiny finger-like villi on the surface that grab nutrients as food passes through the gut. But an unhealthy gut is often lined with old feces that hinders the villi from doing their job.

Nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, are vital for a healthy mind and healthy emotions. Studies have shown omega-3 improves depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, decrease in violence, antisocial behavior, borderline personality disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and age-related mental decline.

Omega-3 is found in fatty fish, (like mackerel, salmon, sardines), walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, and egg yolks. If the gut is unable to aborb omega-3 fatty acids, you are missing out on all of these benefits! To regain mental and emotional health, the first prescription you should consider is healing your gut.

Switching your food lifestyle away from processed foods, fried in seed oils, made with high fructose corn syrup, and made with non-food ingredients, is imperative in order to heal. Carnivore, clean keto, or an animal-based diet can drastically change your gut health. For many people, improved mental health happens very quickly.

If your mental and emotional health has been affected by trauma and/or demonic strongholds, there is Hope! You can be healed, delivered, and set free by putting your trust in Jesus. For more information, message me.

Possible Causes

Some factors that may affect mental health:
Nutritional deficiences
Poor gut health
Trauma
Demonic strongholds
MTHFR gene mutation

Christmas Treats

Need more help? Message me!

Do Your Own Research

MTHFR Gene Mutation, Gut-Brain Axis, L-theanine

Remedies

Heal your gut!
Omega-3 fatty acids - see the list of benefits above
Green tea - contains L-theanine, which is an amino acid responsible for GABA production in the gut
Ginko Biloba - improves cognitive issues, anxiety, prevents and treats ADHD, improves sleep, improves schizophrenia
SAMe - improves depression
St. John's Wort - improves depression, improves menopausal symptoms
Valerian - improves insomnia, OCD, improves ADHD, sedative
Saffron - improves major depressive disorder, improves ADHD
Kava - improves anxiety
Passionflower - improves anxiety, improves ADHD, improves social anxiety
Turmeric -improves depression, improves ADHD
Ashwagandha - improves mood disorders, used for long-term stress management, improves insomnia, improves social anxiety
Holy Basil - adaptogen that helps the body handle physical and psychological stress
Lavender - relieves stress and anxiety
Chamomile - mild tranquilizer and sleep-inducer, improves social anxiety
Lime Blossom - reduces anxiety, promotes relaxation
Nettle Seed - used for long-term stress management
Reishi Mushroom - protects nerves, reduces excitability, calms overactive nervous system
Oat Tops -protects nerves, reduces excitability, calms overactive nervous system
Brahmi - improves ADHD
Ginseng - improves ADHD, improves impusivity, improves cognitive function
Rosemar - improves memory, improves ADHD
Nutmeg - delayed onset sedative
Oat Straw - restores frazzled nerves
Skullcap - improves social anxiety
Gotu Kola - relaxes central nervous system, increases GABA production

Resources

1) Omega-3 fatty acids Benefits, Foods and Supplements - Dr. Axe. (2025, August 1). Dr. Axe. https://draxe.com/nutrition/omega-3-fatty-acids/
2) Appleton, J. (2018, August 1). The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of microbiota on mood and mental health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6469458/
3) Merlo, G., Bachtel, G., & Sugden, S. G. (2024). Gut microbiota, nutrition, and mental health. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1337889
4) Clapp, M., Aurora, N., Herrera, L., Bhatia, M., Wilen, E., & Wakefield, S. (2017). Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The Gut-Brain axis. Clinics and Practice, 7(4), 987. https://doi.org/10.4081/cp.2017.987
5) Xiong, R., Li, J., Cheng, J., Zhou, D., Wu, S., Huang, S., Saimaiti, A., Yang, Z., Gan, R., & Li, H. (2023). The role of gut microbiota in anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders as well as the protective effects of dietary components. Nutrients, 15(14), 3258. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143258
6) Ginkgo biloba benefits, side effects and dosage - Dr. Axe. (2023, September 26). Dr. Axe. https://draxe.com/nutrition/ginkgo-biloba-benefits/#Health_Benefits
7) Mischoulon, D. (2018). Popular herbal and natural remedies used in psychiatry. FOCUS the Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry, 16(1), 2–11. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20170041
8) Sarris, J. (2018). Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10‐year updated review. Phytotherapy Research, 32(7), 1147–1162. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6055
9) Barber, J. (2023, May 30). Herbs for mental and emotional wellbeing. Herbal Apothecary UK. https://herbalapothecaryuk.com/blogs/news/herbs-for-mental-and-emotional-wellbeing

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

Cynthia A. Barrington is not a physician and the relationship between her and her clients is not as prescriber and patient but as educator and client. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Cynthia presents. Naturopathy, homeopathy, flower essences, and any other recommendations do not "treat" illnesses; they address the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. In order to be treated or diagnosed, Cynthia believes the advice of a holistic physician is in order. Never stop taking prescription medications without first consulting your physician. Consult your physician before starting a fitness program or taking supplements.

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